Emergency response vehicles - Multi Vehicle Technology

A search and rescue van parked up in the countryside. It has a large RESCUE sign along the side with the the message " lowland Rescue incident control unit"

Emergency response vehicles come in all shapes and sizes due to the incredibly varied operational situations for which they are required, and their content is similarly diverse, requiring a combination of experience and a multitude of skilled professionals to produce each one.

this consistes of two photos. on the left we see a volvo hatch back vehicle with tail lift raised. It is colourered with green and yellow battenburg and marked as an ambulance. The second photo is facing into the rear to show what equipment emergence response vehicles carry on board. — First responder vehicle

Emergency Response vehicle operators and numbers

It is impossible to provide exact numbers of emergency response vehicles operating in the UK but to get a feel for numbers let us consider just a few of the key organisations that require them and for whom some level of information is available.

Our 48 independent Police Forces are believed to have a combined fleet size of 32,000 vehicles with the 50 Fire and Rescue Services operating a further 10,000 vehicles along with the 14 primary ambulance services having an equivalent sized fleet.

Additional to these three high profile services there is a plethora of organisations operating specialist vehicles to provide essential emergency response services including: HM Coastguard (300 vehicles) plus the RNLI, Mountain Rescue, Lowland Search and Rescue, Urban Search and Rescue, St Johns Ambulance, Red Cross, Salvation Army, private ambulance services and many others.

Plus, we should not forget the 3 UK military services who also run large emergency response vehicle fleets (in addition to armoured fighting vehicles) and whilst specific numbers are unavailable it is more than possible that their combined fleets number thousands.

So actual numbers are a bit of a guess as there is no official register but suffice to say there are rather a lot of emergency response vehicles in the UK each one of which has required thoughtful design and precision construction with reliable on-board equipment to respond quickly and safely to all manner of situations that occur. Needless to say, quality of manufacture must be high to ensure high performance both on and off road.

Range of emergency response vehicle types

Think of an emergency response vehicle and it is natural to think of police, ambulance or fire services but these are just a small proportion of these specially designed and built vehicles which range from mobile command and incident response vehicles to search and rescue, medical, dog vans, welfare units, hazmat trucks and bomb disposal to mention but a few.

Some are car based whilst others are van conversions with larger response units built upon 3500 kgs to 10,000 kgs box bodied chassis cabs.

Exterior view of a van converted into an incident command unit. It is white with orange patches with a countryside background. — Incident Command Unit.

Multi vehicle Technology Ltd

Multi Vehicle Technology Ltd, based in Leicester, is one of the few UK manufacturers’ experienced in the design and manufacture of emergency response vehicles providing specially equipped vehicles to all emergency and response organisations.

MVTech, as it is more generally known, converts both cars and vans whilst also body building all sizes and weights of chassis cabs. The company is not a mass producer, and its strength is in providing turnkey solutions for small volume and one-off emergency response vehicles. It provides a one-stop-shop approach including design, supply, build, installation, and setup thereby eliminating the need for any client to manage multiple vendors or complex equipment purchases.

Whilst the company is large enough to manage fleet requirements where it excels is in providing the same level of care and quality of service for one off builds and the more unusual or unique the requirement the greater the team there enjoys the challenge!

From the most basic of van lining and van racking to installation of additional seating right through to the construction of furniture, provision of refreshment facilities, welfare facilities, dog cages, not to forget complex electrical equipment and wiring, MVTech has the experience skills.

THis is a white van standing on a london street with blackend side window. There are no markings to indicate what is inside. — A covert surveillance and emergency response vehicle.

Telemetry and communications

Most emergency response vehicles require reliable connectivity when operating in challenging mobile environments. The company’s leading position in the design and construction of high security transit vehicles enables it to use its wealth of experience to install secure communications and vehicle protection from threat of both physical attack to enabling effective real-time data transfer. The addition of on-board CCTV systems provides further protection and a record of each incident.

Most emergency response vehicles require reliable connectivity when operating in challenging mobile environments, making the provision of vehicle-based connectivity hubs a regular priority.

Lighting

MVTech is experienced in the supply and installation of automotive lighting solutions for the emergency services including LED light bars, Mini Light bars, Beacons, LEDs, Strobes, Commercial, Safety Camera Systems and more.

Catering emergency response vehicles

When thinking of an emergency catering may not be the first thing to come to mind. But think about those incidents that take place away from urban areas, think what victims may benefit from and what emergency personnel need to sustain them through long intensive activities in a hostile environment and it is a cuppa and food. Such catering services are quite often provided by the Salvation Army who operate a number of emergency catering vehicle and can be relied upon to turn up to provide this support.

With MVTech’s experience in the supply of street food catering vehicles and trailers they can provide advice on all aspects of the provision of mobile catering vans to provide the right kind of vehicle including those required to operate off road and independent of power supplies.

With rear van doors open this photo shows the storage of the type of rescue equipment inside the rear compartments of emergency rescue vehicles. — Emergency rescue vehicle storage compartment.

Vehicle graphics

A proportion of the vehicles that MVTech produces are, by the very nature of their use unmarked, but other emergency service vehicles rely on being recognised and seen to be effective. To protect the public, ambulances, police cars, fire service vehicles, and others require quick recognition in all weather conditions, whether at the scene of an emergency or speeding through traffic.

MVTech can provide a full vehicle graphics design, supply, and application service to meet all regulatory requirements.

A fire services van conversion during the build process. It is painted brioght red with yellow squares and shows the side door open to reveal extra seating and storage shelves. This is typical of many emergency response vehicles used by fire services nationwide. — A Fire Services van conversion during construction.

How to get in touch

It really does not matter to us if you are looking to build a fleet of vehicles or just require a one of design and build services you will receive the same level of response and commitment from us. So, if you have an emergency response vehicle project that requires some experienced knowledge, please give us a call on 0116 326 0989.

Alternatively write to us at sales@multivehicletechnology.co.uk

Our factory is in Thurmaston on the outskirts of Leicester and visitors are always welcome. We can of course travel to see you or as an option we can arrange a Teams meeting or similar.

We also design and build cash in transit vehicles, mobile libraries, exhibition vehicles, and animal welfare vehicles including animal ambulances.

“I’ve always seen first responders as unsung heroes and very special people because, when everyone else is running away from danger, they run into it.” — Dwayne Johnson, actor